RCSEd Obtains Tax Relief for Specialty Fellowship Examination (FRCS)

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) is pleased to announce that, following negotiations between theCollege's Trainees’ Committeeand HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the College has been successful in obtaining agreement for trainees in the ten surgical specialties to claim tax relief on the examination fee for the Specialty Fellowship Examinations (FRCS).

HMRC has confirmed in writing to RCSEd that in circumstances where an individual is employed on a training contract as a speciality trainee, and the individual pays for the Speciality Fellowship exam fees themselves, they will qualify for a deduction of the Speciality Fellowship examination fee against their earnings from that employment. This is on the basis that successful completion of the Speciality Fellowship exam is a requirement within a speciality training contract.

The initiative to approach HMRC follows the RCSEd Trainees’ Committee’ssuccessful negotiation to obtain tax relief for the JCST fee, paid by all Core and Higher surgical trainees. This year’s negotiation was spearheaded by Mr David Riding, Trainees’ Committee Member, Vascular Surgery Trainee in the North West. Speaking about this new agreement, Mr Riding said:

“As trainee surgeons we are all too aware of the increasing personal costs of training. In that context I am delighted that we have been able to secure tax relief for the FRCS exam. This will significantly reduce the financial impact of entering the exam, and is a great example of how the RCSEd Trainees’ Committee works tirelessly to represent the interests of our Members."

RCSEd President Professor Michael Lavelle-Jones added:

“I am delighted to see the successful completion of this initiative led by the College’s Trainees’ Committee, which will be of benefit to all trainees across the country irrespective of their affiliation. The timing is perfect and reflects our commitment going forward to do all that we can to ease the financial burden upon our trainees.”

You can read the confirmation letter from HMRC by downloading the document here.

ENDS

About The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

RCSEd (www.rcsed.ac.uk) was first incorporated in as the Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1505, and is one of the oldest surgical corporations in the world with memberships approaching 25,000 over 100 countries worldwide. The College promotes the highest standards of surgical and dental practice through its examinations, and is also increasingly involved in the provision of surgical training and education, offering the UK’s only Faculty of Surgical Trainers, open to all those with an interest in surgical training regardless of College affiliation. RCSEd’s commercial enterprises offer conferencing and event facilities at The Playfair Building, Symposium Hall and Quincentenary Hall, and runs the Ten Hill Place Hotel.